Assoumani, Azali

1977-1980 – He trained at the Royal Military Academy in Morocco and qualified as a parachutist.

1989-1990 – After the death of Abdullah and the departure of the mercenaries, he became a senior officer in the new Comorian Defense Force (FCD).

1995 – During this period the FCD was again (temporarily) defeated by Denard’s mercenaries.

1996 – He undertook further training at a French military academy and was promoted to colonel and chief of staff of the new National Army of Development (NAD).

1999 – He became leader of the country on the 30th of April, after leading a coup to depose acting president Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde, who he saw as pandering to the independence movement on Anjouan.

2002 – He won multi-party elections, prior to which he was constitutionally required to temporarily step down in order to run as a candidate.

2005 – A draft law was under consideration that would have changed this to allow him to run for a second term, but it was withdrawn.